Cut-off and transfer mechanism



Oct. 10, 1933. l.. s. BURBANK 1,929,865

CUT-OFF AND TRANSFER MECHANISM Original Filed June 7, 1928 2Sheets-Sheet l 1 f fi/ ff ,j f@ "77` Oct. l0, 1933. L, sY BURBANK1,929,865

UUTFF AND TRANSFER HECHANISI Original Filed June '7, 1928 2 Sheets-Shqet2.

IN VEN TOR. Lou/5` 5. BURA/wf, DECEASED,

Patented Oct. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT@ oFFcE CUT-OFF AND TRANSFERMECHANISM Original application June 7, 1928, Serial No.

283,469. Divided and this application November 3, 1932. Serial No.641,063

137 claims. (o1. 10-25) This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in cut-offA and transfer mechanism of the type that isparticularly `adapted for upsetting, heading machines, or the like.

It is the object of this invention, among other things, to providesimple and eective means for cutting. oif a portion of a rod length orthe like, holding such portion (now a blank)4 so cut oi, and carrying itaway from the cut-ofi position for a subsequent operation, and whenreturned for the next cut-off operation, the rod has already beenadvanced a predetermined distance and is in position for the cut-offoperation.

Heretofore it has been the practice tol feed a rod length only when thecut-ofi knife is in its retracted position, after which the cutterbegins its cut-off motion and severs the projecting end of the rod andcarries it to another station. From the time the stock is cut off untilthe cutter returns again to its retracted position there is no feed ofthe rod length. This practice requires that the cutter be held in itsretracted position a sufficient length of time to permit the rod lengthto advance a predetermined distance in front thereof before the-cut-oifmovement begins. The time thus consumed, during the dwell of the cutter,reduces the speed rof the machine as well as its output.

With this new` and improved cut-oi and transfer mechanism there is nodwell of the cutter as the rod is fed into its predetermined positionready to be cut off before the cutter bar returns to its retractedposition. The rod may be advanced while the preceding cut-off portion orblank is carried into position for a subsequent operation, or during thereturn of the mechanism, or during any portion of its reciprocatingstroke, as may be desired. If the cut-off portion or blank is ofsubstantial length more time will be required for the feed of the rodthan for a short portion. The variation of length yof feed, as well asthe necessary time therefor is permitted in this invention, as therelative timing of the feed always assumes that the feed motion iscomplete as the cut-off mechanism advances from its retracted positionwithout a dwell. The feed of the rod is not interrupted or interferedwith by the movement of the cut-off and transfer mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, in which like nu- Vassociated therewith,taken generally merals of reference indicate like parts in the severalfigures;

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, sectional plan view of a portion of anupsetting machine, header, or the like, having the cut-off and transfermechanism disclosed, associated therewith. y

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a portion of anupsetting machine or header looking toward the front of the die block;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the forward end of thecutter bar and the knives -upon line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of one of the cutter knives and a portionof the cutter bar, taken generally upon line 4 4 of Figure 3; l

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, with the knives in their openposition;

Figure 6 is a perspective View Y of oneofl the knives; and

. o l Figures '7, 8 and 9 are views of another form of the inventionwherein the knives are supported in an independent member, rather thanin the cutter bar, as shown in the other gures.

Inthe drawings, 10 indicates the body of a header or the like of aconventional type, having a die block l1 suitably mounted therein andsupporting a cut-off die l2, through which a rod length 13 isintermittently fed, by any one of many suitable feed devices, against astop 14.

Within the body member a gate l5 is reciprocated in a manner well knownin the art and carries one `ormore punches 16 and 17, which move towardand away fromnpsetting dies 18 and 19. Actuated by suitable mechanism ofany .desired form, so as to reciprocate ina pathl at substantially aright angle to the face of the die block 1l, is 'a cutter bar 20 andassociated parts. in the operation of such mechanism the cutter seversthat portion of the rod 13, between the stop 14 and face of the die 12,and thereafter the cut-off portion is transferred to a position betweenthe punch 16 and die 18, substantially as shown by broken lines inFigure 1.

The invention herein relates particularly to the devices forintermittently cutting off portions of the rod 13 and transferring suchcut-off portion to the position above mentioned.

An opening 21 extends rearwardly from the inner end of the cut-off bar20 a distance suiiicient to clear the rod 13 when in its forwardposition. This inner end is recessed or socketed upon opposite sides ofthe opening 21 at substantially a right angle thereto, as indicated at22. Adjacent thereto are the stop shoulders 23 and through the walls ofthe cut-off bar are suitable openings 24, each of which contains aspring 26and is closed at the outer end by a plug 25..

This invention contemplates the use of companion knives 27, each ofwhich has a knuckle portion 28 that is movable within a socket 22. Eachknife has a stop shoulder 33 which abuts against a stop shoulder 23 whenin one of its positions, and a stop face 34, which contacts with asimilar face on the companion knife when the knives are in theirclosed'position', substantially as shown in Figure 3. Each knife isprovided with a semi-circular opening 35, which co-operate to form anopening of substantially the same size and shape as the rod 13 when theknives are in their closed position. Adjacent to the opening 35 theknife is cut away to form the walls 36, which form an outwardly daringthroat. That portion of the knife adjacent to the opening 35 may be ofless thickness than the knuckle portion 28, as

shown in Figure 4, with the cutting edge of the knives on the same planeas that of 'the face 37. The knives are held against outward movement bya key 38 that projects within a suitable recess inthe cutter bar and isheld against dislodgment by a plurality of screws 39.

In Figures 1 and 2 the cutter bar is shown in its substantiallyretracted position, and in the same figures, and also in Figure 3, theknives are shown in their closed positions and ready to cut off thatportion of vthe rod, which projects through the opening formed by therecesses 35. In this position the stop shoulders 33 of the knives are incontact with the stop shoulder 23 of the cutter bar and the stop faces34 of the knives are in contact with each other. This makes a rigid,strong structure that will withstand the cut-off strain. During theinward movement of the cutter bar the knives sever that portion of therod projecting beyond the face of the cut-off die 12 and hold suchcut-off portion therebetween during its further -travel,'which continuesuntil the cutoff portion, (now a blank), is in position between thepunch 16 and die 18. The position of the cut-off portion v(now ,a blank)and of the knives, is shown by dotted lines in Figure 1. In Figure 8there is illustrated one of the relative positions of the rod 13-'wher1the parts are in their forward' position, yand wherein it will be notedthe rod projects through the opening 21. When the cutter bar is beingwithdrawn from its forward position the angular walls 40 of the knivesengage the rod 13. These are thereby moved about the axes of the knucklejoints thereof and pass over the rod until the semi-circular openings 35are in register, at which time the springs 26 cause the knives to movetoward each other and surround and grip the rod 13 within said openings.

The open position of the knives is shown in Figure 5 with the rod 13therebetween. Afterthe knives have severed the projecting portion of therod and carried it beyond the end thereof, the rod is advanced by thefeed devices through the opening 2l in the cutter bar until it engagesthe stop 14. There is nothing to interfere with this movement ofthe rodduring the reciprocation of the cutter bar.

In Figures 7, 8 and 9, the knives 2'7 are supported in a block 41, whichis` independently mounted in the cutter. bar 20, and provided with bar.'The cutter bar 20 is shortened upon one side an opening 50 which is inregister with the opening 21 in the cutter bar. Otherwise theconstruction and operation of the knives is the same as that shown inthe previous figures. To accommodate this block 41 the forward end ofthe cut- S0 ter bar 20 is provided with a recess 42.

The block isv rigidly held by a key 43 and wedge 44, in a'well knownmanner, vassisted by the tongue 45, which projects into a recess 45 inthe cutter so that the wall 49 thereof will clear other parts.

As an additional means of anchoring and securing the .block 41, thelatter is provided with a lip 47, which rests upon a shoulder 48 cn thecutter bar.

The foregoing description is directed solely to the constructionsAillustrated, and therefore, the privilege of resorting to all mechanicalchanges to which the invention is suitable, is reserved, the inventionbeing defined and limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advancedthrough a cutting die; means for cutting off that portion of the rodprojecting beyond the face of the die and transfervring it to anadjacent station, said means permitting movement of the rod beyond theface of the cutting die during the transfer travel of said cutoffportion, the cutting element being composed l of companion knives eachof which has a recess, which in their closed position form an opening ofsubstantially the same size and shape as the rod, and walls on theknives which engage the rod, if projecting beyond the face of thecutting die, durlli) ing the withdrawal of the cutting means fromthe-station to the cut-off position and during such engagement cause theknives to` move relatively toeach vother until said recesses are insubstantial register withthe-rod.

2. Inl mechanism of they character described, wherein a rod is advancedthrough a cutting die; a slotted member movable transversely of thecutting die and across the face thereof; and cutting means connectedwith said member adjacent l?) to one end of the slot, composed of partsindependentlyconnected with the member and movable-toward and away fromeachother, the parts ofv said-cutting Ameans moving away from `eachother and passing over the rod during the return 125 movement `ofthe'member if the rod is then projecting. beyond. the .face of thecutting die, said parts when in positionfor the cutting operationhaving` contact with-each other and an abutment face upon the saidvmember, whereby to form a rigid unyielding cutting means that willwithstand the cutting strain.

3. Inl mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod-is advancedthrough a cutting die; a member movable ltransversely of the cutting dieand hav-ing a recess in one end thereof and an opening adjacent theretoat an angle to the recess; a vblock projecting into said recess andhaving an opening therethrough which registers with the opening in saidmember; means, as a key or the like, for. securing said block in saidmember; a knife having a movable connection with the block upon eachside of the opening therein which in their closed' position providemeans for severing that portion of the rod projecting beyond the face ofthe cutting die.

4. In mechanism of the character described, whereina rodis advancedthrough a cutting die;

a member movable transversely of the cutting die; a. block separablysecured in said member Cil and during the travel thereof movable acrossthe face of the cutting die, said blockl and member having openingstherethrough in register with each other; plural part cutting meanslmovably associated with the block at the forward end of the opening,which means in one of its positions severs that portion of the rodprojecting beyond the face of the cutting die, at which Vtime each ofsaid plural parts is held rigid against movement by an engagement withan abutment face on the block.

5. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advancedthrough a cutting die; a member movable transversely of the cutting die;a block secured in said member; and plural part cutting means movablyassociated with the block for severing that portion of the rodprojecting beyond the face of the cutting die, said block and membereach being provided with a slot registering with each other and in rearof the cutting means and through which the rod is advanced whenprojected beyond the Vface of the cutting die. l

6. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advancedthrough a cutting die; a member having an opening therein movabletransversely of the cutting die and across the face thereof; a knifehaving a movable connection with the member upon each side of theopening, said knives when closed being adapted to sever that portion ofthe rod projecting beyond the face of the cutting die and tightly engagethe same when so cut off and carry the cut-off portion to an adjacentstation, at the same time permitting the rod to be projected beyond theface of the cutting die and through said opening.

7. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advancedthrough a cutting die; a member having an opening therein movabletransversely of the cutting die and across the face thereof; a knifehaving a movable connection with the member upon each side of theopening; and yielding means exerting pressure against each knife,whereby to move the same toward and in contact with each other, each ofsaid knives having a recess therein, which when the knives are togetherform an opening of substantially the same size and shape as the rod andof sufficient length to support the cut-off portion of the rod duringthe movement of the member.

8. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advancedthrough a cutting die; a member having an opening therein movabletransversely of the cutting die and across the face thereof; a knifehaving a movable connection with the member upon each side of theopening; yielding means exerting pressure against each knife, wherebytomove the same toward and in Contact with each other; and each of saidknives having a recess therein, which when the knives are together forman opening of substantially the same size and shape as the rod a walladjacent to said recess which ilares outwardly and when combined withthe wall of the other knife forms an open throat to receive the rod.

9. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advancedthrough a cutting die; a member having an opening therein movabletransversely of the cutting die and across the face thereof; a knifehaving a movable connection with the member upon each side of theopening; and yielding means exerting pressure against each knife,whereby to move the same toward and in contact with each other, each ofsaid knives having a recess therein, which when the knives are togetherform an opening of substantially the same size and shape as the rod. f l

10. In mechanism of the character-described, wherein a rod is advancedthrough a cutting" die; a member having an opening therein movabletransversely of the cutting die and across the face thereof; a knifehaving a movable connection with vthe member upon each side of theopening; and yielding means exerting pressure against each knife,whereby to move the same toward and in contact with each other.

11. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advancedthrough a cutting die; a slotted member movable transversely of thecutting die and across the face thereof; cutting means connected withsaid member adjacent to one end of the slot, composed of partsindependently connected with the member and movable toward and away fromeach other, the parts of said cutting means moving away from each otherand passing over the rod during the return movement of the member if therod is then projecting beyond the face of the cutting die; and yieldingmeans for returning the parts of the cutting means to their cut-offposition.

12. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advancedthrough a cutting die a slotted member movable transversely of thecutting die and across the face thereof; and cutting means connectedwith said member adjacent to one end of the slot, composed of partsindependently connected with the member and movable toward and away fromeach other, the parts of said cutting means moving away from each otherand passing over the rod during the return movement of the member if therod is then projecting beyond the face of the cutting die.

13. In mechanism of the character described; wherein a rod is advancedthrough a cutting die; a slotted member movable transversely of thecutting die and across the face thereof; and cutting means connectedwith said member adjacent to one end of the slot, composed of partsindependently connected with the member and movable toward and away fromeach other.

14. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advancedthrough a cutting die; a member having a slot, movable transversely ofthe cutting die and across the face thereof; and relatively movingcutting means connected with said member, the relation of said memberand cutting die being such that the rod may be advanced beyond the faceof the cutting die and through the said slot between successive cuttingoff operations and while the cutting means is in an advanced position.

15. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advancedthrough a cutting die; a member having an opening therethrough movabletransversely of the cutting die and across the face thereof; and aplural part cutting means for severing that portion of the rodprojecting beyond the face of the cutting die, the rod during successivecutting off operations passing through the said opening presentinganother portion of the rod to be out off before the cutting means hasreturned to its retracted position.`

16. In mechanism of the character described wherein a rod is advancedthrough a cutting die; a member movable transversely of the cutting dieand across the face thereof; cutting means movably mounted in the memberfor severing that portion of the rod projecting beyond the face of thecutting die, said member being so formed as to permit the feed of therod beyond the face of the movement of the -rod beyond the face of thecutting die during the transfer travel of said cut-off portion, `amd thecutting element being vcomposed of plural parts, which during a .portionof l the return travel thereof pass overthe rod if projecting beyond theface of the cutting die. Y

Y DAVIS E. BURBANK, Administrator of Louis 8. Burbank, Deceased.

